"In all areas, I cater to the majority": An Investigation of LGBT+ Provision in School Libraries from the Librarian's Perspective

Abstract

This study looks at LGBT+ provision in school libraries from the perspectives of librarians, 15 years after Section 28 was abolished, a piece of legislation which limited promotion of homosexuality in local authorities in the UK. It aims to assess the awareness and knowledge of LGBT+ issues amongst school librarians, to explore LGBT+ provision in school libraries, librarian's self-perception of this provision and how proactive school librarians are on this topic. A thematic analysis of qualitative and quantitative data was implemented, collected using a survey. It found many factors impacting LGBT+ provision, from external sources and the librarians themselves. Sporadic improvement has been made in LGBT+ provision, but there is no consensus on what good practice looks like.